1. GLOBAL SOUTH
#1 0, July 201 2, A development quarterly
Development Magazine
ISSN: 1 799-0769, www.silcreation.org
Women ofthe
Revolution In the Aftermath of the Arab Spring
2. Letter to the editor
The team
Global South Development Magazine is a quarterly magazine
Less vulgar, more news how farmers in Argentina
have changed from cattle
published by Silver Lining Creation, Finland. The magazine covers a development keeping to soya farming and
wide range of developmental issues primarily of the developing
world and is an initiative of freelance writers and development news! these are the kind of
development stories that will
activists from different parts of the world. I had a concern on the
Argentine story. I felt it was resonatepresume. in the
globe, I
elsewhere
Editor-in-Chief not in good taste for a I also found some of the
Manoj Kr Bhusal development magazine. While almost nude pictures from the
manoj.bhusal@silcreation.org we all welcome the growth of gay parade quite out of taste
the movement in Argentina, I for the GSDM content. Please
would have preferred to see shield us from such in the
Assistant Editor from the story, how the future.
Ioulia Fenton developments in the gender Howver, all in all, congrats
issues have helped improve on your good work!
Editorial Assistants governance and delivery of Irene N. Mwangi
Carolynn Look basic rights in Argentina.
Dinesh Poudel I have heard on the BBC Nairobi, Kenya
Suraj Chand
Congo crisis,
Regional Editors
Lingson Adam (East Africa) greed and then
Khalid Hussain (South Asia)
Noah Marwil (Latin America) war and peace
Catriona Knapman (The Middle East)
It is most unfortunate
Special Correspondents that Congo (DRC) has
Mary Namusoke (Women’s issues in Africa)
Roxanne Irani (Global environmental issues)
to be assessed along the
Sandeep Srivastava (Climate change) lines of “War &
Aliza Amlani (Global Health) Peace”.
Deanna Morris (Livelihood & Global Economic Affairs) Can exploitation and
Aparna S Patankar (Global Education)
Scott Ruddick (Development Aid & Conflict States)
orchestrated rebellions
Hriday Sarma (South-to-South Development Cooperation) not be exchanged for
Irene Nyambura Mwangi (Development & Democracy in Africa) prudent business
Debora Di Dio (Food Soverignty and Rural Livelihoods) practice, good
governance and
Country Correspondents peacefull development
Victoria Lucy Peel Yates (Argentina) of the middle and lower Rwanda,
Tithe Farhana (Bangladesh) social society in the DRC? Uganda,Zimbabwe and the
Dr. Lykke E. Andersen (Bolivia)
Marita Haug (Brazil) Is our international greed DR Congo so big that we
James Belgrave (Burundi) for taking as much as cannot overcome and
Gareth Mace (Cambodia) possible as cheaply as manage Africa prudently?
Meerim Shakirova (Central Asia) possible from places like A.J. Meintjes
Fady Salah (Egypt)
Emily Cavan Lynch (DR Congo)
Dr.P.V.Ravichandiran (India) More innovative see the problems, take
Alphonce Gari (Kenya) stories needed! photos of malnaurished
Samuel Adikpe (Nigeria)
Ricardo Morel (Peru)
kids and upload on
Mohamud Hassan (Somalia) I am a regular reader of facebook wantshare with
and
Moses C Masami (Tanzania)
Kimbowa Richard (Uganda) your magazine and most friends. I my experience
and share
to go there
Jasen Mphepo (Zimbabwe) of the issues presented and knowledge and
are interesting. However, innovative ideas that I
Guest contributors for this issue as a development
Sarah Ferst
publication, it would be havethrough magazines
and
learned at university
great if you could also like yours.
Published By focus on positive
Silver Lining Creation RY-Finland technological There is a lot of
Email: globalsouth@silcreatioin.org negativity, criticisms and
developments that can frustration going on in the
info@silcreation.org
http://www.silcreation.org help the developing world, so maybe it's time
ISSN 1799-0769 world. to spread some hope and
Subscribe free to Global South Development I'm thinking of
Magazine at www.silcreation.org spending a few months in positivity stories.
ideas and
and innovative
www.gsdmagazine.org Africa as an intern and Paul
when I go there, I don't Berlin, Germany
want to go there just to
3. Contents
Global South Development Magazine, Founded in 2010
July 201 2 ISSUE 1 0 WWW.SILCREATION.ORG
Women in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya played a prominent role in bringing down entrenched dictatorships, however, there are
fears that previous gains made by women might be reversed due to rising social conservatism and religious fundamentalism in
the post-revolutionary scenario.
4. Global South In the Frame
In April 2012 UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, announced the appointment ofAngelina Jolie as his Special Envoy. Ms Jolie has taken
part in more than 40 field visits for UNHCR during her ten years of time as a goodwill ambassador. Photo: UNHCR/ J.Tanner
Rice Farmers at Work in Bhutan: Farmers thresh their rice harvest in a field near Punakha, Bhutan. Photo: UN Multimedia
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 4
5. News Analysis Global South
Sri Lanka - not enough action on impunity
"there has been some progress in economic development and resettlement in the
northern conflict zone, but many problems still exist"
COLOMBO, July 2012 - Sri Lankan “subversive” activity; an independent advisory District, said Tamil people were exhausted by
parliamentarians in favour of acting on the committee to examine the detention and arrest of conflict and would like to find normalcy rather
recommendations in a report into the final stages persons in custody to address concerns about than more politics. “These political games have
of the country’s civil war by the Lessons Learnt indefinite detention without due process under an pushed the country through 30 years of conflict. I
and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) are anti-terrorist law; and addressing grievances from hope this will not be repeated.”
slowly gaining ground over those who are not, minority communities, including Muslims in the The executive director of the National Peace
says a presidential peace process adviser. north and Tamils. Council, Jehan Perera, told IRIN, “While the
The government’s initial reaction to the LLRC Tasks government asserts that it is implementing the
recommendations was positive, presidential Since then there has been some progress in recommendations, it has not been specific as to
adviser and parliamentarian Rajiva Wijesinha told economic development and resettlement in the what it is implementing,” and progress has been
IRIN, but others saw the report, released just over northern conflict zone, but many problems still very limited so far.
six months ago, as a call for regime change and exist, said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive The government does not seem keen on
were “highly critical”. director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Sri implementing governance recommendations that
“However I now think we have equilibrium Lankan think-tank. would interfere with the highly “personalized”
again, and the more positive forces in government “Progress also made with the rehabilitation of powers of current leaders, he added.
seem likely to go ahead [with implementing the LTTE [Liberation Tigers ofTamil Eelam, the
recommendations],” Wijesinha said, noting that separatist movement] cadres, although there are “Resistance”
many of the LLRC recommendations fell within reports that even after being released they are
the existing framework of the Ministry of Disaster being questioned and face issues with regard to re- resistance to implementing inclined to justify its
The government is also
the LLRC
Management and Human Rights. integration in the community,” said recommendations on the grounds that the
“We have wasted far too much time in Saravanamuttu.
defending ourselves against gratuitous attacks, Not enough has been done to reach a political international community Perera said. in Sri
Lanka's internal affairs,”
is interfering
when a simple general appreciation of the LLRC settlement between the sometimes antagonistic The ruling government has largely discredited
would have taken us forward more quickly. But we ethnic groups ofTamils and Sinhalese, reports of human rights abuses from international
have to realize that other countries play games in demilitarizing the north, punishing impunity, and NGOs.
terms of their own interests, and we have to be improving governance - such as putting in place The LLRC recommendations included a
sensible enough to ignore these and move forward legislation that ensures the right to information - mourning period prior to the country’s
in the interests of pluralism and peace,” he said. and establishing independent commissions to independence day celebrations on 4 February to
Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa formed investigate the conflict, Saravanamuttu noted. express solidarity and sympathy with conflict
the commission in May 2010 to investigate the The LLRC called for independent
final period of a decades-long civil war between investigations into the UK’s Channel 4 television victims, but nothing took place, said Ruki
Fernando of the Christian Alliance for Social
the government and separatist rebels from the broadcasts in 2011 and 2012, which examined Action, a local NGO. Rather, pro-Sinhalese victory
Tamil ethnic group. After an 18-month inquiry, the alleged war crimes, and also into civilian parades rolled out.
commission submitted its findings to parliament massacres spanning a decade in the north’s
on 16 December 2011. Trincomalee District, including the 2006 murder of issues needing urgent attention,number of critical
Fernando said there were a
including the
Human rights groups questioned the group’s 17 workers of the French NGO, Action Against
impartiality and along with the UN Secretary- Hunger. Saravanamuttu said these investigations continued existence controllednumberLankan
security zones” still
of a large
by Sri
of “high
General's Panel of Experts on Accountability should start immediately.
called for an independent inquiry, which the Thavarajah Rasiah, 63, in Jaffna District in the military forces in the north, which prevent large
government rejected. northern Sri Lanka, told IRIN that residents in the numbers of people returning to their places of
origin.
Among dozens of recommendations, the LLRC former war zone have been promised much, but Other matters needing urgent attention were
called for a special commissioner to investigate seen little. “Lot of talking and not much alleged attacks on the media, reports of religious
alleged disappearances and criminal proceedings; improvements”. of talking and not much harassment, issues of language discrimination, and
an amendment to the Registration of Deaths Act, improvements”. . “Lot of talking and not much cases of abuse of personal freedoms, including the
which allows a next of kin to apply for a death improvements”. abuse of civil liberties and human rights.(IRIN)
certificate if a person is missing due to Selva Sivaguru, 43, in neighbouring Mannar
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 5
6. News Analysis Global South
Aid must work Worries over new Rise in sea
better for Egyptian policy on level can't
Afghans in the medicines
next decade
be stopped,
CAIRO, July 201 2 - A decision by the
Egyptian Health Ministry to peg local
medicine prices to international ones is
causing concern. “This is a catastrophic
decision,” Karima Al Hefnawy, a member of
scientists say
Rising sea levels cannot be stopped over the
local NGO the Independent Right to Health next several hundred years, even if deep emissions
Committee, told IRIN. “Egypt is a low-income cuts lower global average temperatures, but they
country, which means that linking local can be slowed down, climate scientists said in a
medicine prices with international ones will study on Sunday.
cause suffering to the poor.” A lot of climate research shows that rising
Only about 30 percent of Egyptians have greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for
health insurance, according to a recent increasing global average surface temperatures by
estimate by the NGO. Hitherto, medicine about 0.17 degrees Celsius a decade from 1980-
July 2012, Development gains made in prices were set by the ministry, sometimes at 2010 and for a sea level rise of about 2.3mm a year
Afghanistan over the last decade are in danger of much lower prices than the manufacturing from 2005-2010 as ice caps and glaciers melt.
being thrown away if levels of aid fall away in cost, leading some suppliers to go out of Rising sea levels threaten about a tenth of the
conjunction with the withdrawal of international business. world's population who live in low-lying areas and
troops in 2014, Oxfam warned. islands which are at risk of flooding, including the
Ahead of a vital donor conference in Tokyo this Caribbean, Maldives and Asia-Pacific island
month, Oxfam is calling on governments groups.
represented at the summit to maintain levels of aid More than 180 countries are negotiating a new
to the country and ensure this aid reaches the global climate pact which will come into force by
Afghan men, women and children who need it 2020 and force all nations to cut emissions to limit
most. warming to below 2 degrees Celsius this century
The agency is warning that decisions about aid - a level scientists say is the minimum required to
levels and spending come at a critical time for avert catastrophic effects.
Afghanistan, the country’s single biggest donor, But even if the most ambitious emissions cuts
the USA, having already dramatically cut are made, it might not be enough to stop sea levels
development aid by nearly half in 2011, from Another local NGO, The Medical
$4.1bn to $2.5bn. Association, says of the US$1 0 billion spent rising due to the thermal expansion of sea water,
The withdrawal of international combat forces on health last year, only about a third came said scientists at the United States' National Centre
by the end of 2014 is likely to hit the already weak from the government. The government has for Atmospheric Research, U.S. research
Afghan economy even harder with 97 percent of allocated $4 billion, or 4.8 percent of Egypt’s organisation Climate Central and Centre for
the country’s gross domestic product related to the total budget in fiscal year 201 2-201 3, to the Australian Weather and Climate Research in
international community’s presence. The World health sector. This, experts say, means that Melbourne.
Bank has estimated that aid to Afghanistan could individuals will continue to foot most of the "Even with aggressive mitigation measures that
drop by as much as 90 per cent by 2025. health bill in the new fiscal year. limit global warming to less than 2 degrees above
Oxfam has urged donors to follow the example Chairman of the Health Ministry’s pre-industrial values by 2100, and with decreases
of countries such as the UK, Germany and medicine sector Mohsen Abdelaleem rejected of global temperature in the 22nd and 23rd
Australia, who have pledged to maintain or even the concerns, saying the higher prices would centuries ... sea level continues to rise after 2100,"
increase aid levels in the coming years - or see the allow more pharmaceutical companies to stay they said in the journal Nature Climate Change.
gains that have been made undermined or even in business, making medicines more widely This is because as warmer temperatures
reversed. available.(IRIN) penetrate deep into the sea, the water warms and
Almost $60 billion of aid has been given to expands as the heat mixes through different ocean
regions.
Afghanistan since 2001. Over that period life
expectancy in the country has risen dramatically UGANDA: New LGBTI Even if global average temperatures fall and the
surface layer of the sea cools, heat would still be
from 47 to 62 years for men and 50 to 64 years for
women, with basic health care now accessible in clinic faces fierce mixed down into the deeper layers of the ocean,
causing continued rises in sea levels.
more than 80 per cent of districts. There have also
been significant gains in education with more than government criticism If global average temperatures continue to rise,
the melting of ice sheets and glaciers would only
2.7 million girls enrolled in school compared to add to the problem.
just a few thousand under the Taliban. However, July 201 2, Uganda, Gay rights activists have The scientists calculated that if the deepest
Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries opened Uganda's first clinic for lesbian, gay, emissions cuts were made and global temperatures
in the world. Far too much aid has been poorly bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) cooled to 0.83 degrees in 2100 - forecast based on
spent and too often tied to military objectives or people in the capital, Kampala, where it will the 1986-2005 average - and 0.55 degrees by 2300,
projects designed to win hearts and minds in the provide testing, counselling and treatment for the sea level rise due to thermal expansion would
short term, rather than supporting long-term HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. continue to increase - from 14.2cm in 2100 to
development goals. Despite the high level of HIV among MSM, 24.2cm in 2300.
"Any significant cuts in support could have the government has not included the group in If the weakest emissions cuts were made,
dire consequences on Afghan people and we its national strategy to fight HIV because temperatures could rise to 3.91 degrees Celsius in
cannot let this happen. While the past 11 years homosexual activity is illegal in Uganda. A bill 2100 and the sea level rise could increase to
have seen substantial progress, millions of before parliament seeks even more stringent 32.3cm, increasing to 139.4cm by 2300.
Afghans still lack adequate healthcare, schools, punishments for people engaging in "Though sea-level rise cannot be stopped for at
jobs, or law and order. A good hard look at the homosexual acts and those perceived to be least the next several hundred years, with
way aid is spent in Afghanistan is long overdue. "promoting" homosexuality. aggressive mitigation it can be slowed down, and
Donors need to work harder to address the needs The clinic was opened on 1 9 May 201 2 by this would buy time for adaptation measures to be
of women and girls, involve local communities in Bishop Christopher Senyonjo - one of the adopted," the scientists added.
development projects, increase anti-corruption country's few religious leaders willing to The study is available at
efforts, and ensure projects are designed to be speak for gay rights - and is managed by a www.nature.com/nclimate (Reporting by Nina
smart, fair and sustainable," said Oxfam’s Louise local gay rights lobby group, Ice Breakers Chestney; Editing by Pravin Char)
Hancock, head of policy and advocacy in Uganda (IBU).
Afghanistan.(SourceOxfam)
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 6
7. Press Freedom Global South
Burundi, a country praised in
recent years for its free and
dynamic press and active civil
society, is witnessing a worrying
deterioration in media freedom.
The shrinking space for
press freedoms in Burundi
JAMES BELGRAVE
GSDM Burundi
Burundi, a country praised in recent years for precedent given that no journalist in Burundi
its free and dynamic press and active civil has ever been convicted for such a crime’, and
society, is witnessing a worrying deterioration the outcome has caused concern for both
in media freedom. Reporters Without Borders’ national and international human rights
annual Press Freedom Index reveals a startling activists.
trend in this country located in the heart of the Following the Gatumba bar attack in 18th "harassment and the
African Great Lakes region: between 2008 and September 2011, in which more than 37
2011 Burundi slipped 36 places from 94th to people were killed when gunmen burst into a arbitrary arrest of journalists
130th (of 178) in the global rankings for press bar and shot indiscriminately at the crowd (see have been on the rise, and
freedom. In recent years, harassment and the article in GSDM N.7), the government
arbitrary arrest of journalists have been on the imposed a month long news blackout analyses by various experts
rise, and analyses by various experts and preventing the media from publishing, and NGOs point to a
NGOs point to a situation which is only set to commenting or analyzing information relating situation which is only set to
worsen this year as the space for press to the attack. The ban was broadly complied
freedom in the country continues to diminish. with by local media, but set a dangerous worsen this year as the
2010 saw the arrest of several journalists, precedent given the lack of clear and reliable space f or press f reedom in
most notably Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, who, information surrounding the Gatumba attack.
in July, was arrested for publishing an article Being a journalist in Burundi is now a the country continues to
in which he questioned the state’s ability to hazardous profession which entails significant diminish"
respond to a potential terrorist attack by the risks. A recent Human Rights Watch report
Somali Islamist militia Al-Shabaab (the (which was itself banned in the country),
Burundian military presence in Somalia makes points out that the Gatumba attack took place
the country a target). He was detained for ten in the context of a broader pattern of
months pending trial and released in May intimidation and harassment of independent
2011 having been found guilty of ‘threatening Burundian journalists’ and states that the news
the national economy’. According to Human blackout may have amounted to a violation of
Rights Watch, this sentence is a ‘negative freedom of expression.
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 7
8. Press Freedom Global South
On the 28th of November 2011 a journalist prosecutor’s office in 2011 for questioning
working for Radio France International (RFI) regarding the radio’s programmes. "The f undamental issue is
and Bujumbura-based Bonesha FM, Hassan The media, however, is very active in that the Government of
Ruvakuki, was arrested on charges of ‘acts of calling for press freedoms and the release of
terrorism’. He had conducted an interview arrested journalists, and on the 18th of June Burundi is highly sensitive to
with a member of a rebel group in this year six of the biggest independent radio criticism, and the current
neighbouring Tanzania. On the 21th of June stations organized a media synergy through
2012, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. which they simultaneously broadcast the same media crackdown is taking
Reporters Without Borders described the trial editorial message, calling on the Government place against a backdrop of
as a ‘politically orchestrated travesty’. to cease their harassment and unwarranted
Later that month, in response to the arrest of journalists and to uphold its a deteriorating political and
difficult situation faced by journalists, four of constitutional obligations, respect the law and security situation in which
the major independent radio stations asked the ensure that freedom of expression is the Government accuses
public to sound their car horns for 15 seconds guaranteed in Burundi.
at 12:20pm to protest against political violence The fundamental issue is that the journalists of siding with the
and the muzzling of journalists. Having Government of Burundi is highly sensitive to opposition and/or rebel
witnessed this protest first hand, I can confirm criticism, and the current media crackdown is
that it was met with popular support and those taking place against a backdrop of a movements and
fifteen seconds were some of the noisiest I deteriorating political and security situation in consequently treats them as
have experienced in more than 18 months in which the Government accuses journalists of
Bujumbura. siding with the opposition and/or rebel enemies"
Both Human Rights Watch and Reporters movements and consequently treats them as
Without Borders agree that the government is enemies.
openly hostile to independent media and both The Government would do well to
local and international experts assert that remember the key role that the open and free
journalists who report on human rights abuses press and civil society in Burundi played in
and on the political situation have been peacebuilding efforts following the end of the
targeted with repeated summons and threats of war in 2008, and ensure that such advances in
arrest. Yet another example is that of the chief basic human rights are not undone in an
editor of Radio Publique Africaine, a leading attempt to silence their political opponents.
independent radio station based in Bujumbura, (Note: Photos used in the text were taken by
who was summoned eight times to the public the author.)
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 8
10. Natural Resources Latin America
as well as the civil society. This is particularly true Soon opposition supporters from all over the
when mining activities occur in remote region began to mobilize. In the midst of intense
communities where extractive industries tend to popular pressure, former Prime Minister and current
operate. presidential spokesperson, Salomon Lerner,
Regional and local governments lack capacity appeared in a press conference alongside "Conga, as a project, and
and power to regulate activities that might raise Newmont’s Operations Vice-President to declare the
conflict behaviours in their own territories. suspension of Conga’s activities. Having a high- Cajamarca, as a region,
Consequently, all regional and local grievances ranking government official appear with a Newmont
regarding mining operations travel directly to the could be a milestone in
capital city of Lima. Even at the national level, it isExecutive on national television only served to
the Ministry of Energy and Mines –an institution increase distrust for the government. Peru’s history if the right
generally seen as biased towards the private sector– Opposition continued and, in response, the bridges are built"
which has the final word when approving the government declared a state of emergency in
viability of projects, without necessarily having to Cajamarca, mobilizing police forces and closely
consult with other relevant Ministries regarding the watching opposition leaders. By the end of 2011,
issues of environment or social development. the situation became unbearable. Prompting the "Mining companies need to
resignation of Prime Minister, Lerner was replaced improve their strategy by
by former Minister of Interior, Oscar Valdes.
Brief chronology of the conflict: Succeeding Prime Minister Valdes called for an international prioritising the
errors technical assessment of Conga’s EIA viability. As
Cajamarca, a traditional farming and the report was delivered in April 2011, President strengthening of
stockbreeding region, experienced the mining boom Humala introduced a series of new conditions to the relationships bef ore starting
when Yanacocha –run mainly by US-based project, such as increasing labour and protecting
Newmont Mining Corporation– started operations natural water sources. Yanacocha was not operations"
over two decades ago. Newmont’s mining activities previously consulted on these changes, but
in Yanacocha, the world’s second largest gold mine, eventually agreed to the new terms.
have built up a negative reputation due to Still, since mid-June roadblocks have been
environmental disasters and a record of strong occurring in different parts of Cajamarca, generating
clashes with local communities. Despite this local shortage of food supply and other resources.
(and even national) perception of the firm,
Newmont decided to attach the Conga project to Lessons learned
Yanacocha brand, thus transmitting Yanacocha’s Conga, as a project, and Cajamarca, as a region,
stigmas to the yet-to-be-born Conga mine. could be a milestone in Peru’s history if the right
In March 2011, Newmont announced in New
York that not only Conga but also Quillish –another bridges are built. The Government could strengthen
Yanacocha-brand project suspended since 2004 due the decentralizationregional government in EIA
participation to the
process, giving more
to strong opposition– would start operations in processes, mining concessions, right to prior
2016. This was later confirmed by President
Humala who, in October 2011, after returning from consultation, regional governments moregeneral, the
idea is to get
and wealth distribution. In
involved
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) by increasing their responsibilities and, thus,
Conference in Hawaii, personally gave the green making them part of the national political
light to the Conga project.
The decision generated surprise among the local machinery. companies need to improve their strategy
Mining
population, but particularly with Santos, who by prioritising the strengthening of relationships
trusted his, friend-now-President, Humala and had before starting operations. Not only should these
not been informed beforehand. Santos saw his efforts be focused on creating inroads with local
power undermined. As NGOs and defence fronts communities but also should concentrate on
started mobilizing, Santos saw an opportunity to
gain political relevance by joining the assault. Later bringing local and regional governments, if dialogue
NGOs, into the political fold. In essence,
as well as
that month, the regional government of Cajamarca and transparency are not present across all fronts,
turned radical by stating that the Newmont’s CEO history will repeat itself. Peru needs to add
should declare Conga unviable. legitimacy to legality and sustainability to viability.
PHOTO CORNER
Education in Tanzania massive
Despite significant achievement through
investment under the government’s Primary
Education Development Plans (I&II) for over 8 years
coupled with numerous interventions by NGOs both
local and National, the state of education in some
rural parts ofTanzania is still appalling. Learning
outcomes not convincing and the learning-teaching
environment is still far from being improved.
Facing the situation like the pictured one at
Mwamagembe Primary school in Kishapu district,
Shinyanga region in Tanzania, one may wish to pause
and ask a number of questions: what is wrong? Have,
as a country and global community been able to
identify let alone address the root cause of the
education challenges? Even more importantly, how do
we get out of such alarming learning environment
hampering quality education for all?
Pictured is Oxfam’s Education Programme
Officer, Mary Soko who visited the school to monitor
progress of the WASH facilities that Oxfam
sponsored.
Photo by Lingson Adam/ GSDM West Africa
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 0
11. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
Women ofthe
Revolution!
In the Aftermath of the Arab Spring
Women in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya played a prominent role in bringing down entrenched
dictatorships, however, there are fears that previous gains made by women might be
reversed due to rising social conservatism and religious fundamentalism in the post-
revolutionary scenario.
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 11
12. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
Photo: Gigi Ibrahim
After 18 days of angry protests in front of Sana'a University, calling for
Cairo's Tahrir Square, president Hosni Yemen's President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to
Mubarak resigned on February 11, ending step down. Karman became an
30 years of autocratic rule. Hundreds of international face of peaceful revolution
thousands of people gathered and chanted and was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace
slogans against the regime until it finally Prize.
toppled. Obviously, anger, frustration and While Asmaa Mahfouz of Egypt and
a deep rooted desire for change fueled the Tawakel Karman ofYemen were actively
revolution, but many believe it was organizing protests and participating in
Asmaa Mahfouz's YouTube video that did them directly, the Tunisian Lina Ben
the magic and compelled people to turn Mhenni took a different approach.
up to Tahrir Square and oppose Through a blog, Mhenni reported the
dictatorship. protests throughout Tunisia, at times
The 26 year old university student becoming the only source of information "The world hasn't forgotton
made a video and posted on YouTube to activists within Tunisia and also to the women's contribution in the
announcing her intention to go to the outside world. Arab Uprisings, but the
square on 25 January, she challenged These three names mentioned here are danger is that they are being
Egyptians to take to the street, saying, 'If just representative examples of hundreds
you think yourself a man, come with me of thousands of women that made the forgotten in their own lands by
on 25 January. Whoever says women Arab Uprising possible. Through satellite their own regimes"
shouldn’t go to protests because they will television and on social networking sites
get beaten, let him have some honor and we saw how vigorously these women
manhood and come with me on 25 organized themselves and bravely
January. Whoever says it is not worth it challenged tyranny and dictatorship. The
because there will only be a handful of world hasn't certainly forgotten that. But
people, I want to tell him, 'You are the the danger is that due to a surprising rise
reason behind this, and you are a traitor, of conservatism and fundamental
just like the president or any security cop religious ideologies after the revolutions
who beats us in the streets.' in the region, women might be forgotten
In Yemen, another woman, Tawakel and oppressed in their own lands, by the
Karman, led the pro-democracy regimes that are built on the same
campaigns, camping out for months in women's sweat, blood and toil.
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 2
13. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
Photo by Clinton Verley
Tawakel Karman, 33, Yemen Photo: David Sasaki
'Mother of the Revolution' Lina Ben Mhenni, 29, Tunisia
Asmaa Mahfouz, 27, Egypt The Revolutionary Blogger
Tawakel Karman became the the woman who organized Egypt's
international public face of the 2011 historic demonstrations During the rule of former Tunisian
Yemeni uprising that is part of the Asmaa Mahfouz is an Egyptian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Lina
Arab Spring uprisings. She has been activist and one of the founders of Mhenni was one of the few bloggers to
called by Yemenis the "Iron Woman" the April 6 Youth Movement. She has blog using her real name rather than
and "Mother of the Revolution. She been credited by journalist Mona adopting a pseudonym to protect her
is a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Eltahawy and others with helping to identity. Her blog, as well as her
Peace Prize, becoming the first Facebook and Twitter accounts, were
spark mass uprising through her censored under the Ben Ali regime.
Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and video blog posted one week before Mhenni began posting photos and video
the second Muslim woman to win a the start of the 2011 Egyptian of protests of those injured throughout
Nobel Prize and the youngest Nobel revolution where she said, 'Ifyou Tunisia. In an effort to make the
Peace Laureate to date. think yourselfa man, come with me government responsible for its actions
Karman is a Yemeni journalist, on 25 January. Whoever says women and to the people who were harmed in
politician and senior member of the shouldn’t go to protests because they these uprisings, she visited local
ofAl-Islah political party, and human will get beaten, let him have some
hospitals and took pictures of those
rights activist who heads the group honor and manhood and come with
harmed by police.
"Women Journalists Without In January 2011, she covered the
Chains," which she co-founded in
me on 25 January. Whoever says it is
early weeks of the Tunisian Revolution
2005. She gained prominence in her
not worth it because there will only from Sidi Bouzid Governorate in the
country after 2005 in her roles as a
be a handf ofpeople, I want to tell
ul interior of the country. Mhenni was the
him, 'Y are the reason behind this,
ou only blogger present in the interior cities
Yemeni journalist and an advocate and you are a traitor, just like the of Kasserine and Regueb when
for a mobile phone news service president or any security cop who government forces massacred and
denied a license in 2007, after which The video
beats us in the streets. ' suppressed protesters in the region. Her
she led protests for press freedom. went viral and hundreds of thousands reports and posts provided uncensored
She organized weekly protests after of people appeared on the 25 January information to other Tunisian activists
May 2007 expanding the issues for protest.She is a prominent member of and the international media.
reform. She redirected the Yemeni Egypt's Coalition of the Youth of the Mhenni's blog, A Tunisian Girl
protests to support the "Jasmine (http://atunisiangirl.blogspot.com), is
Revolution and in 2011, she was one written in Arabic, English, and
Revolution," as she calls the Arab of five recipients of the "Sakharov French.Mhenni has been awarded the
Spring, after the Tunisian people Prize for Freedom ofThought" Deutsche Welle International Blog
overthrew the government of Zine El awarded for contributions to "historic Award and El Mundo’s International
Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011. changes in the Arab world." Journalism Prize.
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 3
14. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
CATRIONA KNAPMAN
GSDM Middle East
Despite women’s full and dynamic representatives out of 508, or 2% women.
participation in the 2011 revolutions, their In global terms, Egypt has one of the "In Tunisia, ideas of equality
participation in the evolving democracies lowest percentages of women were already prevalent in
in these countries has been marked with parliamentary representatives in the world, law and society, which has
difficulties and complications. according to Inter-Parliamentary Union
Each country has demonstrated its own (http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm). been ref lected in a
unique approach to these issues, However The election of the first Constituent reasonable representative
they are linked by the common threat of Assembly also saw only 6 women chosen presentation of women.
under-representation of women in public for the 100 member panel. This first Indeed quotas assured 50%
life and political participation. Assembly was abandoned due to protest
In Tunisia, ideas of equality were regarding its representation of not just inclusion of women on
already prevalent in law and society, which women, but of the full diversity of electoral lists and ultimately
has been reflected in a reasonable Egyptian society. The replacement 24% representation in the
representative presentation of women. committee, elected in June 2012, included
Indeed quotas assured 50% inclusion of 7 women out of the 100 new members, Constituent Assembly,
women on electoral lists and ultimately which was hardly much of an which translated into 58 out
24% representation in the Constituent improvement. of 217 members, or 26.7%
Assembly, which translated into 58 out of The Egypt’s streets, this issue is also
217 members, or 26.7% women prevalent. Various stories tell the tale of women parliamentarians."
parliamentarians. A woman is also deputy harassment and attacks on women in
speaker in this body. While the number do public life. The 2011 International "In Egypt, this under-
not represent full equality, it is equitable to Women’s Day march was marked by representation has been
most Western democracies in terms of harassment of women protestors. Imposed
women’s political participation. Indeed, it virginity testing was recorded as taking on seen in both the streets and
is a higher number of women MPs than in women protestors by human rights political bodies. The
the UK, which has 22%. organisations. During protests in early June Parliament, elected in
Tunisia has also not suffered the same 2012, women were reportedly being
problems regarding safety and attacks of attacked in and near to Tahrir Square by November 2011, had a
women protesters as have been seen in large groups of men. Reports stated that mere 10 women
Egypt. Yet, there are fears of an Islamic the women were sexually assaulted by representatives out of 508,
resurgence from some parties. They are mobs of men.
concerned that the majority presence of the Egyptian women’s group, Nazra or 2% women. In global
Islamist party ‘Ennahda’ in the Institute for Feminist Studies claims that: terms, Egypt has of the
Constitutent Assembly will mean the “(t)he attack on the women was calculated lowest percentages of
creation of laws which impose the sharia at and organized so as to scare women away
the expense of women’s freedoms. These from the public sphere, to punish women women parliamentary
fears are still to be confirmed. for their participation, and to keep them at representatives in the
In Egypt, this under-representation has home to avoid the premeditated attacks world"
been seen in both the streets and political against them.”
bodies. The Parliament, elected in These attacks show that women’s place
November 2011, had a mere 10 women in public protests as well as public life is
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 4
15. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
being itself attacked and undermined. lobbying campaigns around Constitutional
While the women organisations continue to and legal change. Women4Libya is "Yet women groups are
fight, the continued dominance of the demanding that certain funds are ear- f ighting back. Many have
military in Egypt and the increasingly marked for women’s issues. Others have been organising training and
tense and uncertain political situation is been involved in graffiti campaigns to support f or women political
rendering women’s participation more and paint women’s faces onto the walls of the
more complex. streets. In Egypt, one organisation, called activists and Parliamentary
In Libya, women have also faced Harassmap is recording and mapping candidates"
challenges as well as an unstable incidents and testimony of harassment
environment. Following the revolution, against women.
rape committed against women by armed It seems that the struggle for women’s "In Egypt, one organisation,
forces became a key issue. Stories emerged rights continues in post-revolution Middle called Harassmap is
of honour killings being carried out by East. Prejudices from certain readings of recording and mapping
families against women who had been Islam appear to influence the attitudes and
raped, demonstrating a strong patriarchy acceptation of women’s participation in incidents and testimony of
system. public and political life. The prevalence of harassment against women"
While United Nations Security Council a strong patriarchal system also has its
mandate 1325, highlights the important effect in limiting the progress of women in
role women play in peacebuilding, only post-revolution North Africa. somewhat stuck. The stance of
one woman is a member of the National However, it can seem overly easy to women’s groups and movements
Transitional Council, Dr. Salwa Fawzi El- assume that the culprit of women’s remains defiant, yet answers must be
Deghali. In terms of political exclusion in the Middle East originates untangled from a sticky web of
representation, provision has been made to from women. In this sense it is worth social, political and religious politics.
include a quota of at least 10% women in noting how other societies included and What is certain is that these new
the new Parliament, to be elected in July. excluded women, following revolutions. democracies offer a platform which
Yet women groups are fighting back. As post-revolutionary new democracies ensures that this debate will continue
Many have been organising training and in the Middle East and North Africa slowly to be discussed for a long time into
support for women political activists and move forward, the question of women’s the future.
Parliamentary candidates. There are also equality and participation remains
Mohamed Bouazizi Tunisia in protest of social and political
issues in the country. The public's anger and
Mohamed Bouazizi was a Tunisian street
vendor who set himself on fire on 17 violence intensified following Bouazizi's
December 2010, in protest of the death, leading then-President Zine El
confiscation of his wares and the harassment Abidine Ben Ali to step down on 14 January
and humiliation that he reported was inflicted 2011, after 23 years in power.
on him by a municipal official and her aides.
His act became a catalyst for the Tunisian The success of the Tunisian protests inspired
Revolution and the wider Arab Spring, protests in several other Arab countries, plus
inciting demonstrations and riots throughout several non-Arab countries.
Source: Wikimedia Foundation
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 5
16. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
TAWAKEL KARMAN
Tawakel Karman is a Yemeni journalist, politician and senior
member of the ofAl-Islah political party, and human rights activist
who heads the group "Women Journalists Without Chains," which
she co-founded in 2005.She has been called by Yemenis the "Iron
Woman" and "Mother of the Revolution" and is also a co-recipient
of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. In this edition we present a few
excerpts from her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech where
she talks about the success of the Arab uprisings and the future of
freedom and democracy in the Arab world.
The revolutions of the Arab Spring in Tunisia, free people of the world.
Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, and the All ideologies, beliefs, laws and charters "the Arab world is today
movement towards revolutions in other Arab produced by the march of humanity through all
countries, such as Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain, stages of its development, as well as all divine witnessing the birth of a
Sudan and others, in terms of motivation, driving messages and religions, without exception, oblige
power and objectives, did not take place on us to support oppressed people, be they groups or new world, which tyrants
isolated islands cut off from all the rapid and individuals. Supporting an oppressed person is
astonishing changes which our world is not only required because of his need for support, and unjust rulers strive to
witnessing. The Arab people have woken up just but also because injustice against one person is oppose. But in the end, this
to see how poor a share of freedom, democracy injustice against all mankind.
and dignity they have. And they revolted. This What Martin Luther King called "the art of new world will inevitably
experience is somewhat similar to the spring that living in harmony" is the most important art we
swept through Eastern Europe after the downfall need to master today. In order to contribute to that emerge"
of the Soviet Union. The birth of democracies in human art, the Arab states should make
Eastern Europe has been difficult, and victory reconciliation with their own people an essential
emerged only after bitter struggle against the requirement. This is not merely an internal
then-existing systems. Similarly, the Arab world interest, but also an international one required for "The peace in which they
is today witnessing the birth of a new world, the whole human community. The dictator who
which tyrants and unjust rulers strive to oppose. kills his own people does not only represent a lived is a f alse "peace of
But in the end, this new world will inevitably case of violation of his people’s values and their
emerge. national security, but is also a case of violation of graves," the peace of
The Arab people who are revolting in a human values, its conventions and its
peaceful and civilized manner have, for so many international commitments. Such a case submission to tyranny and
decades, been oppressed and suppressed by the represents a real threat to world peace.
regimes of authoritarian tyrants who have Many nations, including the Arab peoples, corruption that
indulged themselves deeply in corruption and in have suffered, although they were not at war, but impoverishes people and
looting the wealth of their people. They have were not at peace either. The peace in which they
gone too far in depriving their people of freedom lived is a false "peace of graves," the peace of kills their hope f or a better
and of the natural right to a dignified life. They submission to tyranny and corruption that
have gone too far in depriving them of the right to impoverishes people and kills their hope for a f uture"
participate in the management of their personal better future. Today, all of the human community
affairs and the affairs of their communities. These should stand up with our people in their peaceful
regimes have totally disregarded the Arab people struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy, now
as a people with a legitimate human existence and that our people have decided to break out of
have let poverty and unemployment flourish silence and strive to live and realize the meaning
among them in order to secure that the rulers, and of the immortal phrase of Caliph Umar ibn al-
their family members after them, will have full Khattab: "Since when have you enslaved people,
control over the people. Allow me to say that our when their mothers gave birth to them free?"
oppressed people have revolted, declaring the When I heard the news that I had got the
emergence of a new dawn in which the Nobel Peace Prize, I was in my tent in the Tahrir
sovereignty of the people, and their invincible Square in Sana’a. I was one of millions of
will, will prevail. The people have decided to revolutionary youth. There, we were not even
break free and walk in the footsteps of civilized able to secure our safety from the repression and
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 6
17. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
oppression of the regime ofAli Abdullah Saleh. edge of failure and collapse during the last 33
At that moment, I contemplated the distinction years. "Millions of Yemeni women
between the meanings of peace celebrated by the Our peaceful and popular youth revolution is
Nobel Prize and the tragedy of the aggression not isolated or cut off from the revolutions of the and men, children, young
waged by Ali Abdullah Saleh against the forces of Arab Spring. However, with all regret and
peaceful change. However, our joy of being on sadness, I should note that it did not get the and old, took to the streets
the right side of history made it easier for us to international understanding, support or attention
bear the devastating irony. of the other revolutions in the region. This should in 18 provinces demanding
Millions ofYemeni women and men, children, haunt the world’s conscience, because it
young and old, took to the streets in 18 provinces challenges the very idea of fairness and justice. their right to f reedom,
demanding their right to freedom, justice and I would like to emphasize that the Arab Spring
dignity, using nonviolent but effective means to revolutions have emerged with the purpose of justice and dignity, using
achieve their demands. We were able to meeting the needs of the people of the region for a
efficiently and effectively maintain a peaceful state of citizenship and the rule of law. They have nonviolent but ef f ective
revolution in spite of the fact that this great nation emerged as an expression of people’s means to achieve their
has more than 70 million firearms of various dissatisfaction with the state of corruption,
types. Here lies the philosophy of the revolution, nepotism and bribery. These revolutions were demands"
which persuaded millions of people to leave their ignited by young men and women who are
weapons at home and join the peaceful march yearning for freedom and dignity. They know that
against the state’s machine of murder and their revolutions pass through four stages which
violence just with flowers and bare breasts, and can’t be bypassed: toppling the dictator and his
filled with dreams, love and family, toppling his security "These revolutions were
peace. We were very happy and military services and his
because we realized, at that time, nepotism networks, ignited by young men and
that the Nobel Prize did not come establishing the institutions of
only as a personal prize for the transitional state, and women who are yearning
Tawakkul Abdel-Salam Karman, moving towards constitutional
but as a declaration and legitimacy and establishing the f or f reedom and dignity"
recognition of the whole world modern civil and democratic
for the triumph of the peaceful state.
revolution ofYemen and as an Thus, the revolutions of the
appreciation of the sacrifices of Arab Spring will continue "the revolutions of the Arab
its great, peaceful people. through the efforts of youth,
And here I am now, standing who are ready and prepared to Spring will continue through
before you in this solemn launch each stage and to fully
international ceremony. Here I achieve its objectives. Today the ef f orts of youth, who
am, in this unique moment, one of the world should be ready and
the most important moments of prepared to support the young are ready and prepared to
human history, coming from the Arab Spring in all stages of its launch each stage and to
land of the Arab Orient, coming struggle for freedom and
from the land ofYemen, the Yemen of wisdom dignity. The civilized world should, immediately f ully achieve its objectives.
and ancient civilizations, the Yemen of more than after the outbreak of the revolutions, commence
5,000 years of long history, the great Kingdom of the detention and freezing of the assets of the Today the world should be
Sheba, the Yemen of the two queens Bilqis and figures of this regime and its security and military
Arwa, the Yemen which is currently experiencing officials. In fact, this is not enough, since these ready and prepared to
the greatest and the most powerful and the largest people should be brought to justice before the
eruption ofArab Spring revolution, the revolution International Criminal Court. There should be no support the young Arab
of millions throughout the homeland, which is immunity for killers who rob the food of the
still raging and escalating today. people. Spring in all stages of its
This revolution will soon complete its first The democratic world, which has told us a lot
year since the moment it was launched as a about the virtues of democracy and good struggle f or f reedom and
peaceful and popular revolution of the youth, with governance, should not be indifferent to what is
one demand: peaceful change and the pursuit of happening in Yemen and Syria, and happened dignity"
free and dignified life in a democratic and civil before in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and happens
state governed by the rule of law. This state will in every Arab and non-Arab country aspiring for
be built on the ruins of the rule of a repressive, freedom. All of that is just hard labor during the
militarized, corrupt and backward family police birth of democracy, which requires support and
rule, which has consistently brought Yemen to the assistance, not fear and caution.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS women’s rights groups in the Arab world
are fighting for rights set forth in the United
governments to live up to their countries’
commitments under the treaty and withdraw
AND THE ARAB Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of all reservations. Many governments in the
SPRING All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), the most
region need to take further steps to align
national laws with existing international
comprehensive women’s rights treaty, and commitments under CEDAW. However,
Successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt are using it to demand government action. while many area governments have yet to
in 2010-2011 have sparked movements Written in 1979 and entered into force in live up to CEDAW’s principles, women’s
against dictatorships across the Middle East, 1981, CEDAW has been ratified by 187 rights activists continue to leverage
North Africa, and the Gulf region. These nation-states, including every Arab country governments’ desire to appear to be in
movements call for democratization, new except Somalia and Sudan. However, each compliance with CEDAW as a way to
constitutions that protect equality, free Arab state has ratified the treaty with advance their cause. (Source:Women's
speech and assembly, and fair elections. substantial reservations that undermine the Learning Partnership)
Women have been an integral part of these treaty’s spirit.
revolutions, organizing and marching CEDAW is a critical tool in the fight to
alongside men. Now, as countries in the advance women’s rights in a democratizing
region are in the process of building new Arab world. Across the region, women have
governments, women’s activists know they been using CEDAW to pressure
must fight to play a substantial role. governments to take meaningful steps to
Today, just as before the Arab Spring, advance women’s rights, and to push new
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 7
18. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
Sierra Leone: Are more
women in parliament enough?
Legislating Equality Ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2012 Elections
A woman in the village of
Njama in Kailahun
District, Sierra Leone
"Despite impressive
abundance of agricultural
IOULIA FENTON and natural mineral
GSDM Assistant Editor
resources, Sierra Leone has
a deep aid dependency
Sierra Leone is a country marred by political and less than 5% were women (six in total with two
social instability. It was not until 2002 that it saw additional female Cabinet Ministers and Deputy problem, relying on donors
an official end to its brutal 11-year civil war, in Ministers). Like many other African countries, f or most of its basic service
which tens of thousands were killed, hundreds of Sierra Leone is pushing for passage of the The
thousands were displaced and numerous youth Gender Equality Bill ahead of its November 2012 provision and government
were abducted as child soldiers. The struggle still election. It is a legislation currently awaiting a
continues as weak security, legal and political parliamentary vote to be passed into law that aims spending. This requires the
institutions threaten stability in this fragile state to stipulate mandated quotas, reserving at least
that ranked bottom of 177 in UNDP’s 2005 Human 30% of parliament and local council seats for country to meet donor
Development Index, a composite statistical women. This is proportion called for at the 1995
analysis measuring quality of life and standard of UN Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women criteria, such as placing
living. Despite the impressive abundance of that put “gender mainstreaming” as a top donor
agricultural and natural mineral resources, Sierra priority on the global development map. more f emales in the highest
Leone has a deep aid dependency problem, relying More women in parliament is, in part, the right
on donors for most of its basic service provision idea. But putting more pant suits on political seats echelons of the country’s
and government spending. This requires the does not go far enough, according to Ms Khadija
country to meet donor criteria, such as placing Bah, who has a long and distinguished career as a democratically elected and
more females in the highest echelons of the senior policy advisor and gender mainstreaming
country’s democratically elected and specialist at the World Bank, United Nations, the decentralising certain
decentralising certain government operations, to New Partnership for Africa's Development and the
qualify for funding. like. For her, gains through higher representation government operations, to
Sierra Leone has an estimated population of 6 in numbers are only superficial if they come about
million, 51-53% of whom are women. Yet, as a result of quotas and other forms of legislated qualif y f or f unding."
political representation at the turn of the century equality. She posits that the problem with quotas
was dreadfully low. Out of 124 parliamentarians, lies in the fact that the appointed women have little
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 8
19. Cover Story Women of the Revolution
or no experiences in the process to make any Leone her absolute highest priority, calling for a
significant change: “[these women] don’t know zipper style of representation: one man, one
anything about the process, they can barely write - woman, with the ultimate goal of following in the
all they do is go meeting to meeting to conference footsteps of their African neighbours - Liberia and
to conference without making a change… They Malawi - by electing their first female president.
would not be good candidates to run on their own
for parliament”. The 50/50 group was
This truly is the crux of the matter formally launched in
since, for many, ‘gender the Sierra Leone
mainstreaming’ in the form of quotas House of Parliament
can be detrimental to the cause. They six months before the
are an imposition of sorts and only 2002 general
serve to reinforce the men’s view that elections. Through
women’s place is anywhere but advocacy, lobbying
politics because they are not and grass roots "f or many, ‘gender
competing on merit. These statutes training work, it can
are also threatening and boast an impressive mainstreaming’ in the f orm
confrontational, leaving some list of achievements in
observers unhopeful that the Sierra the run up to the of quotas can be
Leone Gender Equality Bill will ever elections: it has
be passed. Officially, on paper, the trained a network of detrimental to the cause.
Government of Sierra Leone over 60 trainers based
subscribes to the Beijing call for at least 30% of across Sierra Leone, published a training manual,
They are an imposition of
female representation in politics. Yet, despite this trained over 2000 women in campaign,
and the apparent widespread popular female communication and advocacy skills and the role of
sorts and only serve to
support for the Bill, it is not well received by those women in Parliament and produced a women’s
currently in power, as one male Parliamentarian reinf orce the men’s view
noted, “Why would I support a law that would aim manifesto. At the end of the 2002 elections, of the
to de-seat me?” 165 women who stood for election,18 were that women’s place is
This reasoning can be seen to be a major hurdle successful. There was a 50 per cent increase in
for many gender mainstreaming efforts. Ms Bah, female candidates running in the ministerial and anywhere but politics
for example, has seen her fair share of failures, deputy ministerial categories, but most impressive
stating that “Gender work is not taken seriously, it of all, the elections recorded the country’s very because they are not
first female presidential and vice-presidential
is sidelined and done just because without it there candidates. competing on merit "
would be no donor money”. In her experience Despite these improvements, according to UN
working in Sierra Leone and over twenty other Women, today, “female political participation rates
African countries, the gender focal point is rarely [in Sierra Leone] remain abysmally low”. Out of
more than a receptionist or a specialist of another 124 parliamentarians, only 17 are women (14%)
"It is not enough, f or
topic who has been saddled with being the “gender and only 18.9 per cent of councillors in the local
girl”. government are female, with less than 10 per cent
example, to have parliament
Replacing gendered parliamentary quotas and involvement in top civil service positions and
other imposed ‘quantitative’ measures with the seats or higher education
selection and nourishment of women who can virtually zero representation at the level of
actually do the job well is what Khadija Bah chairperson or the ranks of Paramount Chiefs, places reserved f or women.
would prefer. But the road is long and she is Ministers, foreign service and alike. And the
realistic that greater physical numbers do serve as women who do succeed are not without their To save gender equality
good starting points. However, to really make a critics. Most tend to be from the ranks of the well-
difference, she would see Sierra Leone and Africa educated, urban middle and upper classes, leaving f rom becoming little more
“do away with gender altogether”. Instead, she open the question of whether they can truly
believes, they should focus on social inclusion, represent the needs of the majority of Sierra than lip service paid to keep
being mindful of the differences in the needs of Leone’s rural and poor women.
men and women and pitching the two sexes as There is a third and crucially important part of the donors content, a
allies rather than enemies towards shared goals. It social transformation that needs to accompany
greater representation and capacity building of transf ormation on the
is not enough, for example, to have parliament women. For Ms Bah, the term ‘gender’ itself has
seats or higher education places reserved for become a problem. societal level is needed to
women. To save gender equality from becoming “It comes with a lot of baggage,” she said
little more than lip service paid to keep the donors “when people hear the word ‘gender’ they see it as create lasting change "
content, a transformation on the societal level is women taking over men, whilst the concept is too
needed to create lasting change. Providing women abstract to operationalize and thus is stuck at the
time off and pay sufficient enough to support institutional level, without trickling down to the
women’s reproductive duties at home and ensuring social level. Therefore, legislation without
an equal level of training that will allow women to enforcement and social transformation will not
succeed by their own virtue would be a good start. help women,” she continued, “if, instead, we focus
A two-pronged approach of increasing the on issues of social inclusion, such as talk about
presence of women in the public sector and inequalities different groups like women, youth,
building their capacity is already underway in the disabled and so on experience, we can do a
Sierra Leone since the mission to achieve higher whole lot more”.
female representation in government has been It is true that some progress in absolute
given significant boosts by a few notable numbers of female representation in the politics of
organisations that have championed the cause. The Sierra Leone has been achieved and the November
50/50 Group is one such example. It was set up by 2012 elections promise to be the most feminised in
a handful of Sierra Leonean women in 2000 under history. How much this is having a real impact on
the leadership of Dr. Nemata Majeks-Walker and female empowerment and greater equality in
has now risen to the self-professed heights of “a access to opportunities remains debatable and the
movement for Women’s Empowerment and a force critics are many. Certainly larger scale changes
to reckon with”. across societies and cultures would need to take
“I have always believed in women’s rights and place before true equality is achieved, however,
that women have a role to play in politics and the greater numbers are a sure step in the right
government”, said Dr Majeks-Walker in an direction. After all, as Khadija Bah said: “You
interview. For over a decade, she made women’s cannot build a house from the roof up and you
participation in the political process of Sierra cannot promote women if the women are absent”.
Global South Development Magazine July 201 2 1 9
